Why are food prices rising?

The rise in oil prices. Food grown on large-scale corporate farms requires a lot of fuel, because it’s mechanically harvested and processed, then transported over large distances.

Crops that once were used for food are now used to make what is known as “biofuel,” primarily ethanol and biodiesel. A full 40 percent of the corn crop in the United States, and a similar percentage in Canada, now ends up in cars instead of stomachs.

Climate change. Droughts, floods and storms have played havoc with harvests over the past few years, and climate scientists predict the problem is only going to get worse.

Some experts feel that the financial crisis that swept the world beginning in 2008 also had an impact on food prices. Investing in the rising price of food seemed to make it a safe bet.

Governments’ response to rising food prices. More than 30 food-exporting countries banned exports in 2008, fearing food shortages at home and the political instability that might follow. Such bans reduce supply to the world market and drive the price for importing countries even higher. Russia did this most recently when wheat prices rose sharply in 2010.

the California Drought

from the USDA: ‘California accounts for a large share of U.S. production of many fruits and vegetables. With respect to these crops, the immediate concern is the cost and availability of groundwater. Owing to higher production costs, insufficient water, or both, producers may opt to reduce total acreage, driving up prices not just this year but for years to come.’

Low Canadian dollar

Here in Canada things have been bad because of our plunging dollar. From Global news:

‘Canadians paid more for vegetables than at any other point in this century, numbers published today by Statistics Canada show. Fresh vegetables cost almost 15 per cent more in March than in March of last year.

Beef and pork prices are also up substantially.

The low dollar nudges meat and vegetable prices higher for Canadian consumers, but for different reasons, explains University of Guelph professor Sylvain Charlebois.

Vegetables mostly have to be imported from the United States or Mexico – 81 per cent of vegetables and fruits eaten in Canada are imported. In either case, they’re paid for in U.S. dollars.’

Solution?

Grow as much produce as you can & make food from scratch

Back when things got tough during world war II and the great depression those that could grow food were considered rich. You weren’t dependent on food stamps and could preserve the extra or use it for trade. Preserving foods that are in season was essential and it’s something that is greatly lost today.

Living in a small mountain town work can be challenging and our family has been through a lot of financial hardships. When we were going through the worst hardships we had our large garden and chickens and we could still eat during those challenging times. Having a garden made us feel secure and last year I managed to grow $2,000 worth of fresh produce.

But we all don’t have garden!!

If you’re tight on space or have no sunshine:

Buy cheaper cases when foods are in season and preserve them. Although you have to make initial purchases on things like a home canner and mason jars, trust me it’s worth it for the long haul as you can re-use them for next season (and what better way to live a trendy eco lifestyle). You’ll love opening the jars in the winter months when you paid $1 for a large jar of home canned peaches instead of $3.5 for something a 1/4 of the size!

If you have Containers & Sun Exposure Grow Some Food

Even if you don’t have a lot of space you can grow pole beans in a teepee in a container, potatoes in a potato tower or grow colorful swiss chard or peppers in containers. This is also a great option for renters because you’re not physically putting in a garden.

Do you want more food savings?

Learn to Homestead

Even if you live in the city and can’t grow your own food or keep animals you can still learn the basics of canning and preserving foods, learn how to cook from scratch, make soap or other DIY home and body products. A lot of homesteading is using your time instead of paying someone else to do it for you. Learn more about homesteading by following me on Pinterest. Stay super organized for your gardening and homesteading season with my month-to-month homestead to do lists.

Foraging

Foraging has become back in style the past few years. Of course we can’t all forage for food but you’d be amazed at the wild free food in abundance!

Grow some of your own Medicine

Although it’s important to use conventional medicine for many circumstances there’s a wonderful world of plant medicine that you can grow and make yourself.

Conclusion

My name is Isis Loran, creator of the Family Food Garden. I’ve been gardening for over 10 years now and push the limits of our zone 5 climates. I love growing heirlooms & experimenting with hundreds of varieties, season extending, crunchy homesteading and permaculture.

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Many of the links to products on this site are affiliate links. These are products that I've used or recommend based from homesteading experience. I do make a small commission (at no extra cost to you) from these sales.
Family Food Garden is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com